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Former state Rep. Frank Oliver had plenty to celebrate when he retired from the Legislature in 2010. His annual pension is $286,117. That's more than three times the $78,314 salary he earned at the end of his 37-year tenure in the Legislature.

When Action News Investigates told House Speaker Mike Turzai about Oliver's big pension paycheck, he did not believe it.

"I don't think that's possible. I just think that does not seem possible to me," Turzai said.

Records obtained by Action News Investigates show it's a fact. Oliver's check ballooned because of his longevity and his decision to retire after age 70.

Still, his pension is not even the state's biggest. That honor goes to former Penn State President Rodney Erickson, whose retirement pay is $477,590.

Gary Schultz, another former Penn State official, is the fifth-highest paid retiree at $330,699 per year. Schultz is currently facing criminal charges alleging he helped cover up the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal.

Statewide, a total of 1,049 retired state officials and educators collect pensions worth more than $100,000 per year.

The top earning local pensioners include former Allegheny County Judge Lee Mazur, $189,690; former Mars Area School District Superintendent William Pettigrew, $161,547; and former state Rep. Camille "Bud" George, $141,387.

Their pensions are backed by taxpayers who pour more than $4 billion per year into state pension funds.

If those taxpayers work for private employers, chances are they don't qualify for any kind of pension. And some of them were shocked to hear about the sky-high state pensions.

“That amount of money is ridiculous,” said Chuck Reinecker, of Baldwin. Like most people, he will rely on a 401(k) plan and Social Security when he retires.

“We would all like to make six figures, but we can't,” Reinecker said.

“I honestly think that's a little bit crazy. I mean, they could be doing a lot more with that money,” said Jessica O’Shell, of Pittsburgh.

“There's no reason why it should be that high in this day and age, especially with everyone else's pensions that have either been eliminated or reduced to almost nothing,” said Greg Bobak, of Kennedy Township.

Pensions have been a sticking point in the budget battle between Gov. Tom Wolf and Republicans in the Legislature. Both sides agree there's a problem but have not been able to agree on a solution.

Matt Brouillette, of the watchdog group The Commonwealth Foundation, said the stakes are high for taxpayers.

“Pensions are what are driving local property taxes higher. They're driving state taxes,” Brouillette said. “If we fail to get control of this pension crisis it is threatening to bankrupt governments all across Pennsylvania.”

Republicans want new state employees to move to a 401(k)-type plan. Wolf favors a more gradual transition away from pensions.

While all state employees and teachers get pensions, fewer than one out of five people in the private sector work for a company that offers pensions.